Games that won hearts and minds_其他_趣味英语-查字典英语网

Games that won hearts and minds

Robina Muqimyar from Afghanistan, who braved the gender taboo in her country to come to Beijing for the Games, won the hearts of the spectators as well as the online community even though she finished only last among 85 in the women's 100m.

What best illustrated the Olympic spirit of promoting friendship was the embrace of Russian sharpshooter Natalia Paderina and Georgian markswoman Nino Salukvadze, who won women's 10m air pistol silver and bronze medals respectively, at the medal-awarding ceremony. Their countries were involved in military conflicts at the time.

Beijing, the host city, won intangible medals during the 17-day tournament. The glitch-free proceedings of the Games; the absolute safety from any accidents or terrorist incidents; the clean air and convenient transportation; the charming smiles of volunteers full of youthful vigor; all won praises and congratulations for the city.

And the Games demonstrated another major function - promoting mutual understanding of different countries and regions. Tens of thousands of athletes, journalists, government officials and tourists from other countries saw a real China completely different from what they had learned from previous media reports. The white clouds dotting the blue sky over a city of modern and ancient architectural wonders were probably the most symbolic of the facts that beat the pre-Games prejudice against China.

Seeing is believing. Just as journalist Andy Bull of London's Guardian newspaper said after he came to Beijing to cover the Games: "As a first-time visitor to China, all my knowledge of it is based on received information: from books, news reports, films and TV. The more second and third-hand coverage we get, the more our perceptions are pushed away from the truth ... My idea of it (Beijing) couldn't be more out of date. Modern China is presenting itself to the world, and we have to take it as we find it."